How to Draw a Golden Eagle

Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Golden Eagle" video after each step to draw at your own pace.

Time-Lapse (Speed Drawing) video:

Written step-by-step video tutorial:

For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.

Step 1: Draw a big circle as a guide for the first part of the golden eagle's body. First draw four small marks to indicate the height and width of the circle, then connect the marks using curved lines. Sketch lightly at first so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake. But the circle doesn't have to be perfect. It's just a guide. If you do want to draw a perfect circle, trace the outer rim of a cup, a lid or any other object with a circular edge.

Step 2: Draw another circle on the top, left side as a guide for the head. Pay attention to the size of this circle in relation to the first one. It should be about one-fourth the size of the first one. Pay attention to the distance between the two circles as well. Don't place the golden eagle's head too far away from the body.

Step 3: Draw two intersecting lines inside the head to help you place the golden eagle's facial features later on. The end result should look similar to the scope of a lens.

Step 4: Draw a small arc on the left side of the head as a guide for the golden eagle's beak. Pay attention to the size of this arc in relation to the rest of the head.

Step 5: Draw two curved lines that connect the head to the body to form the guide for the golden eagle's neck.